1913
Louis
2009
Louis L. Costello
September 9, 1913 — April 7, 2009
Louis Leo Costello "Louie", the oldest resident of Dilworth, MN, died April 7, 2009, at the Palliative Care Unit at MeritCare, Fargo, ND.
Louie was born September 9, 1913, in St. Paul, MN, to Frank and Mary (Perzchilli) Costello. His parents emigrated from Italy settling in Dilworth with many other Italians to work on the Northern Pacific Railroad. Louie was six years old.
Being Italian in a predominately Scandinavian area brought many challenges. Louie was smart and tenacious, paving the way for acceptance. He graduated in 1932 from Dilworth High School, an exceptional student and captain of the football team for two years.
He attended MSUM (then MSTC) playing football while there. He left college after two years to work the railroad full time to help his family.
He married Laura Marie Altobelli in Dilworth at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church on November 21, 1940. They had five children, Lee Lou, Lu Ann, and Larry plus two newborns Louis Anthony and Lorelie Marie who died at birth.
A motivated man, along with working full time with the railroad, he owned an independent trucking company and along with his brother, Joe, he had the sanitation business in Dilworth. Many a young man in Dilworth worked for Louie. He even helped his friends who owned the Fargo Toggery and Sterns Clothiers working in sales when they needed him.
He was very active in church and the community. A lifelong member of St. Elizabeth's, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion having served as a Master Sergeant in WWII. He belonged to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Being an avid hunter and fishermen, he was one of the original members of the Dilworth Hook and Bullet Club. He was active in the Dilworth Lions until a few years ago. He loved helping with the Italian dinners and was voted into the Lions Hall of Fame in 1980. In 1990, he received the Melvin Jones Award, the highest honor the Lions bestow. He was considered a master recruiter for the Lions.
In 1950, Louie along with his brothers, Larry, Mike and Joe established Costello Beach on Big Cormorant Lake. The families have enjoyed spending summers there. He and Laura loved having family and friends around and entertained most weekends. Lots of good food and laughter.
He retired in 1972 at age 58 after working forty years on the Northern Pacific Railroad and being self-employed. A retirement afforded him the luxury of spending every day with his children and grandchildren. To them and their friends, he was "Poppi". He rocked many a baby, singing lullabies like "You're in the Army Now", and "I Have Been Working on the Railroad".
Louie gave daily rides to and from school and was there for all of their activities and events. Christmas was usually family vacation time in Chicago.
His hobbies included gardening. His garden was featured in the Fargo Forum and the seeds from his Italian peppers are still available today at some area nurseries. Every fall he would load his pickup with pumpkins and give them to his grandkids, their friends, and neighbors' kids. He brought produce to area nursing homes and groceries and any family or friend was welcome to pick from his garden.
He and Laura were often asked to speak at local high schools, MSUM, and Concordia College on the history of Dilworth, the Railroad, and cultural diversity.
He was much loved and respected by his family and friends. He was a great story teller and all of his family still comment on how much they have learned from him. He was a spiritual man and never was far from his prayer books and rosary.
He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, Laura; his newborn son, Louis; his newborn daughter, Lorelie Marie; his in-laws, Tony and Leticia (Debrito) Altobelli; his brothers, Larry, Joe, Mike, Emil, Will; a sister, Lucy Kondelis
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He is also survived by a sister, Sybil (John) Verdi; sisters-in-law, Maggie Oliver, Marion Costello, and Kathy Altobell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family thanks the staff at Rosewood on Broadway and the Palliative Care Unit for the loving and supportive care Louie received.
Visitation: Today from 5 - 7 PM at Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead, with a Prayer Service at 7 PM.
Funeral Service: Thursday, April 9, 2009, 10 AM, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Dilworth.
Louie was born September 9, 1913, in St. Paul, MN, to Frank and Mary (Perzchilli) Costello. His parents emigrated from Italy settling in Dilworth with many other Italians to work on the Northern Pacific Railroad. Louie was six years old.
Being Italian in a predominately Scandinavian area brought many challenges. Louie was smart and tenacious, paving the way for acceptance. He graduated in 1932 from Dilworth High School, an exceptional student and captain of the football team for two years.
He attended MSUM (then MSTC) playing football while there. He left college after two years to work the railroad full time to help his family.
He married Laura Marie Altobelli in Dilworth at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church on November 21, 1940. They had five children, Lee Lou, Lu Ann, and Larry plus two newborns Louis Anthony and Lorelie Marie who died at birth.
A motivated man, along with working full time with the railroad, he owned an independent trucking company and along with his brother, Joe, he had the sanitation business in Dilworth. Many a young man in Dilworth worked for Louie. He even helped his friends who owned the Fargo Toggery and Sterns Clothiers working in sales when they needed him.
He was very active in church and the community. A lifelong member of St. Elizabeth's, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion having served as a Master Sergeant in WWII. He belonged to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. Being an avid hunter and fishermen, he was one of the original members of the Dilworth Hook and Bullet Club. He was active in the Dilworth Lions until a few years ago. He loved helping with the Italian dinners and was voted into the Lions Hall of Fame in 1980. In 1990, he received the Melvin Jones Award, the highest honor the Lions bestow. He was considered a master recruiter for the Lions.
In 1950, Louie along with his brothers, Larry, Mike and Joe established Costello Beach on Big Cormorant Lake. The families have enjoyed spending summers there. He and Laura loved having family and friends around and entertained most weekends. Lots of good food and laughter.
He retired in 1972 at age 58 after working forty years on the Northern Pacific Railroad and being self-employed. A retirement afforded him the luxury of spending every day with his children and grandchildren. To them and their friends, he was "Poppi". He rocked many a baby, singing lullabies like "You're in the Army Now", and "I Have Been Working on the Railroad".
Louie gave daily rides to and from school and was there for all of their activities and events. Christmas was usually family vacation time in Chicago.
His hobbies included gardening. His garden was featured in the Fargo Forum and the seeds from his Italian peppers are still available today at some area nurseries. Every fall he would load his pickup with pumpkins and give them to his grandkids, their friends, and neighbors' kids. He brought produce to area nursing homes and groceries and any family or friend was welcome to pick from his garden.
He and Laura were often asked to speak at local high schools, MSUM, and Concordia College on the history of Dilworth, the Railroad, and cultural diversity.
He was much loved and respected by his family and friends. He was a great story teller and all of his family still comment on how much they have learned from him. He was a spiritual man and never was far from his prayer books and rosary.
He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, Laura; his newborn son, Louis; his newborn daughter, Lorelie Marie; his in-laws, Tony and Leticia (Debrito) Altobelli; his brothers, Larry, Joe, Mike, Emil, Will; a sister, Lucy Kondelis
He is su
He is also survived by a sister, Sybil (John) Verdi; sisters-in-law, Maggie Oliver, Marion Costello, and Kathy Altobell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family thanks the staff at Rosewood on Broadway and the Palliative Care Unit for the loving and supportive care Louie received.
Visitation: Today from 5 - 7 PM at Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead, with a Prayer Service at 7 PM.
Funeral Service: Thursday, April 9, 2009, 10 AM, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Dilworth.
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